The Upstate Foundation’s annual employee giving program, Power of Us, is underway. The program provides opportunities for employees to donate to one of the Foundation’s 1,200 funds, which support all areas of Upstate’s threefold mission of patient care, education, and research.

Every gift to Power of Us reflects the commitment of employees who go above and beyond in caring for the Upstate community.

“Your support of Power of Us is an important financial resource for many clinical programs and patient services at the hospital, educational opportunities for our students and faculty, and extraordinary research conducted here,” said Eileen Pezzi, vice president for development at Upstate. “We are deeply grateful to every employee who chooses to give, demonstrating the power of us all.”

This year, Power of Us is placing special focus on Friend in Deed, the annual fund for Upstate University Hospital that provides critical support to patients and families through programs and services that would otherwise go unfunded. Now in its 28th year, Friend in Deed has raised more than $2.3 million, supporting 430 impactful initiatives across the hospital over the decades.

In 2024 alone, more than $64,000 in Friend in Deed contributions funded a wide range of life-enhancing initiatives, including:

• At-home health monitoring tools such as blood pressure cuffs, scales and CPAP support
• Grief and bereavement materials for families coping with loss
• Staff wellness kits to promote relaxation and prevent burnout
• Heart-healthy food options to aid in cardiac recovery
• Specialized pillboxes to reduce medication errors
• Supplies for recreation and art therapy in inpatient units
• Resources to help patients overcome barriers to discharge
• Support for managing dementia-related behaviors, helping families provide safer care
• Comfort items like weighted blankets and neck pillows for pediatric patients in transport
• Warm clothing and shoes for emergency department patients in need
• Diabetes testing supplies and equipment for underserved patients
• Partial sponsorship of a retreat for stroke survivors, caregivers and volunteers

Friend in Deed is more than a fund—it’s a lifeline. It touches patients of all ages and backgrounds, ensures critical needs are met, and demonstrates the compassion and unity of the Upstate community.

This year’s Power of Us program invites employees to continue this tradition of giving and making an impact. To amplify the generosity of donors, the Upstate Foundation is providing $5,000 in matching gift funds. For first-time donors, their entire gift will be matched, up to $1,000 until the $5,000 total is reached. For existing donors, any increase from your previous year’s gift will be matched, up to $1,000 until the $5,000 total is reached.

Employees may make a gift through the payment method most convenient for them: cash, check, credit card or payroll deduction. With no administrative fees,100 percent of the gift goes directly to the designated fund.

To learn more or make a gift, visit the Power of Us or call 315-464-4416.

Caption: Friend in Deed is this year’s featured fund for Power of Us. As the annual fund for Upstate University Hospital, Friend in Deed is an important financial resource for many clinical programs and patient services for which there is no other means of support such as providing home blood pressure monitors to patients at the Center for International Health and Comprehensive Stroke Center, and clothing for Emergency Medicine Department patients who, for a variety of reasons, may not have appropriate apparel upon discharge. From left are Mary Jo Lakomski, BSPharm, CDCES, BCACP; Stephanie Loveless, NP; and Joshua Onyan, MSN, RN, SCRN.